Module I: Basics of Python, Conditional & Control Statements [10 Hours]
1. Introduction to Python
History of Python:
• Python was created by Guido van Rossum during 1985-1990 at Centrum Wiskunde &
Informatica (CWI) in the Netherlands.
• It was officially released in 1991.
• The name "Python" was inspired by the British comedy series "Monty Python’s Flying Circus," not
the snake.
Key Features of Python:
• Easy to Learn and Use: Python has a simple syntax similar to English.
• Interpreted Language: Code is executed line-by-line.
• Dynamically Typed: No need to declare variable types explicitly.
• Extensive Standard Library: Comes with many built-in modules.
• Portable: Works on different platforms.
• Supports Multiple Programming Paradigms: Object-oriented, procedural, functional.
Setting Up Python:
• Download Python from python.org.
• Install Python and verify installation using python --version or python3 --version in
terminal or command prompt.
• Use text editors or IDEs like IDLE, Visual Studio Code, PyCharm, Jupyter Notebook for coding.
2. Basic Syntax, Variables, and Data Types
Python Syntax:
• Indentation: Python uses whitespace to define blocks of code.
• Case Sensitivity: Variable and variable are different.
• Comments:
# This is a single-line comment
'''
This is a multi-line comment
'''
Variables:
• Python automatically identifies the type of variable based on value assigned.
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x = 5 # integer
name = "Suva" # string
Data Types:
Type Example
int 10
float 3.14
str "Python"
bool True or False
list [1, 2, 3]
tuple (1, 2, 3)
dict {"key": "value"}
set {1, 2, 3}
3. Operators in Python
Arithmetic Operators:
+ - * / % ** //
Comparison Operators:
== != > < >= <=
Logical Operators:
and , or , not
Assignment Operators:
= += -= *= /=
Membership Operators:
in , not in
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4. Conditional Statements
The if Statement:
if temperature > 30:
print("It’s hot!")
if-else Statement:
if number % 2 == 0:
print("Even number")
else:
print("Odd number")
Nested if-else:
if marks >= 90:
print("Grade A")
elif marks >= 80:
print("Grade B")
else:
print("Grade C")
5. Looping in Python
For Loop:
Iterates over a sequence (list, tuple, string):
for i in range(1, 6):
print(i)
While Loop:
count = 0
while count < 5:
print(count)
count += 1
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Nested Loops:
for i in range(3):
for j in range(2):
print(i, j)
6. Loop Control Statements
break:
• Terminates the loop prematurely.
for i in range(5):
if i == 3:
break
print(i)
continue:
• Skips the current iteration and proceeds to the next.
for i in range(5):
if i == 2:
continue
print(i)
pass:
• Acts as a placeholder where syntactically some code is required but no action is needed.
for i in range(3):
pass
Summary:
• Python provides a clean and readable syntax.
• Variables, data types, and operators form the foundation.
• Conditional statements and loops allow control over the program flow.
• Practice small coding examples regularly to strengthen understanding.
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End of Module I
